Ludo is my 8-year-old yorkiepoo and one of my two emotional support animals. I’ve had him since he was a puppy in 2017, and he and his sister, Chava, are my soul dogs. They've been with me through thick and thin, through some of the most difficult moments of my life, and they are what keep me going every day. I do not even have words to express how dear my dogs are to me and how dear Ludo, my beautiful sonshine, is to me. It's only been a few days but, Ludo's absence is already being keenly felt by both his sister and myself. Over the past weekend, Ludo had an acute flare up of ongoing GI issues, which led to his hospitalization. He’s since been diagnosed with pancreatitis. While he’s starting to feel better, he still requires hospitalization, and it’s looking like he’ll need to stay longer than we originally thought. The medical bills are already overwhelming and may continue to rise if additional procedures, like tube feeding, become necessary. Anyone who’s met Ludo knows what a love-bug he is. He’s sweet and goofy in turn, loves walks, car rides, being outside, cuddling, and more than anything Ludo has such excitement for life. Every day is an adventure that he can't wait to embark on. Ludo is also incredibly attuned to emotions, and he always knows when someone is upset and has a special way of making everything feel better just by being there and laying his head in your lap and giving you that particular look of his.

Right now, I’m in nursing school, working multiple jobs, and facing the possibility of losing my primary job due to layoff and/or workplace closure in an already tough job market. The stress is immense, and there’s a real risk of being temporarily unhoused in the coming months, which would mean Ludo and Chava might have to live with family for a while, and that's something we’re hoping to avoid. All funds raised will go directly to Ludo’s medical bills, and, if I lose my primary job, will help ensure my savings aren’t depleted, so I can continue to care for Ludo and Chava and keep our family together while I finish nursing school. Any support you can give means the world to us. Thank you for caring about Ludo and our journey.